San Antonio TX vs Wilmington NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Antonio
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
San Antonio
48.3%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
San Antonio
7.0%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
San Antonio
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 250,887 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 14.3% | 10.7% | San Antonio + |
| White | 48.3% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 7.0% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.3% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 64.4% | 17.9% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
San Antonio
$32,983
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Antonio
28.7%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,917 | $57,673 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,983 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.1% | 17.9% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
San Antonio
52.4%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,035 | $419,326 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.4% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
442
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
2339
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
34.9%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
15.2%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
24.5%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
13.0%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.9% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.4% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.5% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
68.5°F
Wilmington
63.8°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 63.8°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 58.4 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Antonio
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Antonio
26.5 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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